Hercinothrips bicinctus (Bagnall, 1919)

Biology
The adults and larvae feed on mature leaves, and the pupae are also found on leaves. H. bicinctus is highly polyphagous, sometimes causing leaf damage to banana plants. It produces considerable populations on the leaves of Passiflora species, and also breeds on Bridal Creeper (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides).
Distribution
Widespread in the Old World tropics from Kenya to Australia and New Caledonia, also recorded from European greenhouses.
Recognition
Body brown, head yellow sub-medially, also abdominal segments IX-X; tarsi and tibiae yellow, also antennal segments I & III-VIII; forewing pale, lightly shaded at base, with 2 short dark brown transverse bands. Head finely reticulate, with cheeks convex, sharply constricted to basal neck. Antennae 8-segmented, VIII more than twice as long as VII; III & IV with sense cone forked and extending well beyond apex of segment. Pronotum finely reticulate, with several pairs of moderately long discal setae. Mesonotum not divided medially. Metanotum with weakly defined reticulate triangular area medially, median setae long, 1 pair of campaniform sensilla present. Tarsi 2-segmented. Forewing with complete row of setae on both longitudinal veins; costal cilia longer than setae; posteromarginal cilia wavy. Abdominal tergites finely reticulate; median tergal setae minute; tergite VIII with posteromarginal comb of long microtrichia laterally; tergite X not fully divided medially.
Related species
Of the nine species recognised in this genus, all African in origin, several are recorded as crop pests and are now widespread around the world. They can be distinguished from each other by differences in the colour pattern of the forewings, and by details of the abdominal sculpture (Wilson 1975).

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